I started learning HTML and the components when I was 7, but i'm trying to learn PHP/Perl and C++ at the same time. Does learning PHP and Perl take a while to learn, or should I start C++ first? I got enough money for books and such. And I only need a few more bucks towards my iBook savings.

So with MS VC++ .net you can do everything VC++ 6 can do plus all the extra .net features? At this time I'm not interested in .net but if I can do everything else in it ok then I might look into the .net version.

When I was 16-17 I used to copy straight out of a C++ book and not learn all the concepts (some of it stuck with me). I was learning on my own time and never expected todo computer science in school. Now I really have to know all the concepts soundly. If you're going to learn any comp language for any useful purpose, get a good book which will teach you the concepts really well.

DrunkenMasters C++ Programmer's book of the month is:

(its a bit old )

C++ Primer Plus by Steven Prata is my personal fave. Its one of the few complete programming books which really goes through the basics very clearly in plain language to start which is what you really need. Avoid the 24 hour or dummies books.

I studied Java first, went pretty deep into it and things made sense and now I'm going to C++ so I can give this whole .net thing a try. I recommend Java first, it's everything in C++ without the complicated stuff, syntax is almost indenticle.

Honestly, start with a classic beginner's language, either C++ or Java. I learned C++ first, but Java is a good first language too. I would stay away from C until you get a handle on C++, then go to C to get the extra functionality C provides. Then, if you're serious about doing some web work (database driven sites and whatnot), PHP would be really easy to learn. Also, if you learn Java, JSP becomes a real viable option for database driven websites.